On-or-off electric switch



April 26, 1949. R. BORTFELD 2,468,356

ON-OR-OFF ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed April 14, 1947 zaazaflorizrem INVENTORATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 26, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ON-OR-OFFELECTRIC SWITCH Paul R. Bortfeld, Milwaukee, Wis. Application April 14,1947, Serial No. 741,244

(01. zoo-es) 3 Claims. l This invention relates to switches, and moreparticularly, has reference to a device whereby an electric switch maybe automatically closed at a predetermined time, or opened, as desired.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device that isreadily capable of attachment to a conventionally constructed clock andelectric switch, whereby they may be adapted for automatically supplyingor cutting off power to various types of electric fixtures, such aslamps,

radios, and the like. i i

1 Another important object of the invention is which will appear as thedescription proceeds,

the invention consists of certain novel details of construction andcombinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed outin the claims, it being understood that changes may be .made in theconstruction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spiritof the invention as claimed.

7 Referring to the drawing Figure 1 is an end elevational view of anautomatic switch actuating device constructed in accordance with theinvention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing my device, whereby power takenfrom the rotatable alarm shaft of a clock is adapted to actuate anelectric switch, a portion of the device being broken away.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modification.

Referring to the drawing in detail, 5 designates an alarm clock ofconventional construction, that is fixedly mounted on a flat platform 6,by screws I or other suitable fastening means.

Mounted rearwardly of the clock 5, by means of screws 8 or othersuitable fastening means is a switch 9, which preferably i of the levertype. This is disposed substantially centrally relative to the clock, sothat the laterally extended end of its switch arm is positionedapproximately below the alarm shaft of the clock. Wires I0, one of whichleads to a source of electric power (not shown), and the other of whichleads to an electric fixture, such as a lamp (not shown), extend fromthe switch, in the conventional manner.

The switch is also equipped with a. pull chain I I which may be of thebead type.

Extending from the rear of the alarm clock 5 is the threaded alarm shaftI2.

The above-described objects are of conventional construction, and do notin themselves constitute part of the present invention.

In place of the customary operating handle normally threaded on thealarm shaft I2, there is threaded thereon the adapting deviceconstructed in accordance with the present invention. This is formedwith a substantially cylindrical body portion I3, which is provided witha bore extending inwardly from one end that is threaded for engagementwith the alarm shaft I2. From the side walls of the body portion I3opposed handles I4 are extended outwardly, for the purpose of permittingmounting of the body portion upon the alarm shaft with more facility.

The other end of the body portion I3 is closed, and rigidly connectedthereto is one end of a relatively thin straight-formed spindle I5. Thisis extended outwardly relative to the body portion I3, in a lineparallel but spaced from the axis of the body portion.

Substantially diametrically disposed from the spindle I5 is a secondspindle or stem I6, which, as compared to the spindle I5, is ofthickened formation. This is also rigidly connected to the closed end ofthe body portion I3 and is extended outwardly therefrom in a lineparallel to the axis of the body portion.

The free end of the stem I6 is formed with a flanged collar IT, a partof the-periphery of which is cut away to provide a substantiallysemi-circular notch I8. The collar I1 is so proportioned and disposedrelative to the spindle I5 as to embrace the spindle I5, the dimensionsof the notch, however, being such as to provide an arcuate space betweenthe wall of the spindle l5 and the wall of the notch I8. Preferably, thefree end of the spindle I5 projects beyond the free end of the stem I6.Longitudinally, the stem I6 is formed with a curvingly depressed innerwall N3, the stem I6 being also formed with a curved outer wall, asclearly shown in Figure 4, which serves as a bearing surface.

The spindle I5 is adapted to receive one end of a strap I9, having theloop 20 whereby the strap may be detachably connected to the spindle.The other end of the strap I9 is provided with a key hole slot 2|, inwhich can be firmly engaged the end of the pull chain II. It isunderstood that the formation of the key hole slot permits itsengagement of the pull chain II at any desired point longitudinally ofthe pull chain.

The strap I9, in the embodiment illustrated,

is formed of a length of rigid metallic material. However, it isbelieved to be sufiiciently obvious as not to require illustration thatit may alternatively be formed from a length of flexible material, suchas cloth or leather, in which event the slot 2| could be out through ametal tab or the like clamped on to the end of the flexible strap.

In operation of my device, the loop 20 is slipped over the free end ofthe spindle l5, and positioned intermediate the collar l1 and the closedend of the body portion I3. The pull chain I l is then inserted in thekey hole slot 2| at the desired point, the chain being preferablyconnected thereto at a point at which the chain will be substan-, tiallytaut. The alarm on the clock 5 is then set for actuation at apredetermined time, and the alarm button 22 pulled out to permitactuation of the alarm. At the specified time, the alarm shaft l2rotates, rotating the body portion l3,

and causing the spindle l5 and stem l6, which as stated arediametrically opposed relative to the body portion l 3, each to'travelin an arcuate path around the axis of the alarm shaft 12. This resultsin the strap l9 being engaged by one side edge of the depressinglycurved inner wall l8 of the stem ES. If the strap I9 is of the rigidtype, the outer end thereof, to which the pull chain U is attached,travels in a wide arcuate path around the axis of the alarm shaft l2.The switch arm to which the pull chain H is attached is accordinglymoved to the dotted line position shown in Figure 3, actuating theswitch 9 to close or open the circuit as desired.

Should the strap l9 be of the flexible type, the

outer wall of the stem l6 serves as a bearing sur-. face, together withthe diametrically opposed outer wall of the spindle l5, causing thestrap to be wound thereupon, actuating the switch 9 after it has beenwound to a specific extent.

In Figure 5, there has been shown a modification of the adapting devicein which the body pore tion has been designated by the numeral 23. Thisis formed substantially identically to the body portion 13 hereinbeforedescribed. Howe ever, projecting from the closed end thereof is aplurality of parallel spaced apart spindles, all of relatively smalldiameter. These are all disposed away from the axis of the body portion23,

so that each travels in an arcuate path around 4 be easily positionedthereon, it cannot be accldentally removed after the device has been setfor operation.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination, with a clock having an alarm shaft and with anelectric switch having a pull chain, of a body portion mounted on theshaft to rotate therewith, a plurality of spindles extended from thebody portion and offset from and disposed parallel to the shaft axis, anelongated rigid strap, a loop on one end of the strap detachably passedover one of the spindles, and a detachable and adjustable connectionbetween the other end of the strap and the chain, said strap beingengageable adjacent the loop by another of the spindles on rotation ofthe alarm shaft, for swinging of the last-named end of the strap in awide arc.

2. The combination, with a clock having an alarm shaft and with anelectric switch having a pull chain, of a body portion mounted on theshaft to rotate therewith, a pair of spindles extended from the bodyportion and offset from anddisposed parallel to the shaft axis, aflanged collar on the free end of one of the spindles having aperipheral indentation through which the other spindle extends, saidother spindle being spaced from the wall of the indentation, anelongated rigid strap, a loop on one end of the strap detachably passedover said other spindle, and a detachable and adjustable connectionbetween the other end of the strap and the chain, said strap engageableadjacent the loop by the firstnamed spindlev on rotation of'the alarmshaft for swinging of the last-named end of the strapin a wide arc.

3. The combination, with a clock having an alarm shaft and with anelectric switch having a pull chain, of a body portion mounted on theshaft 3 to rotate therewith, a plurality of spindles.

amounting in number to at least three, extended from the body portionand offset from and dis! posed parallel to the shaft axis, an elongatedrigid strap, a loop on one end of the strap dc.v A

achabl pass o r ny one of the sp ndles, and

a detachable and adjustable connection between.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fileofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Deters Number Date Dec. 7, 1943

